MIM-D3 is a small cyclic peptidomimetic of NGF, a naturally occurring protein in the eye that is responsible for the maintenance of corneal nerves and epithelium, mucin and tear production.
Mimetogen said that the 150 patient randomised, double-masked, multi-center, placebo-controlled study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MIM-D3 in improving the signs and symptoms of dry eye.
Mimetogen CEO Garth Cumberlidge said that it was a key development milestone for Mimetogen, as the trial represents the first use of small molecule mimetics of neurotrophins to treat an ocular disease.
"Encouraging data in animal models of dry eye suggests that the use of neurotrophin mimetics to treat dry eye and other degenerative ocular indications such as glaucoma is an important new approach to treat ocular diseases," Cumberlidge said.